December at 174 Oeming Rd

A-l-o-h-a, Merry Christmas, HAPPY NEW YEAR -
I really don't know where to start, so many things have happened since my last post.
We had a wonderful holiday in Hawaii on the Big Island at Kona. Karyn was our guest the first week, John Schneider the second week. We enjoyed the sites, our guests - but the second week I got ill & had to hang around our condo while Grandpa & John had all the fun. Karyn did not waste a minute - she did this, that, and just about everything she had on her to do list. We all attended the Temple, went to the beach, hung around the pool at our resort, shopped. Attending Church was very special & I must say the Hawaiians have some neat cultural things they like to do & we enjoyed watching them. From Kona on the west side where we stayed) to Hilo on the east side you have quite a panorama of sites. I called it traveling through 'desolation' to 'paradise' as there are great spaces of lava fields and then some spectacular views.Grandpa & John traveled around the island as John to avid hiker wanted to try his expertise. He almost did himself in! We did attend the First Presidency Devotional with John. And we were glad we did - as the talks were very spiritual.
Now for Christmas - we had supper with Hu, Diane, Hugo on the 22. Great pasta meal. exchange of presents & good visiting. On Dec 24 Hu drove us to the RED ARROW bus which we took to Calgary. Great way to travel in the cold weather - just sit & relax & let someone else do the stressful labor. There were four generations under one roof at the Redds. F-u-n! Nice to see how well we interacted with each other. We had a 37-lb turkey, dressing, gravy (made by the pro-Jim) plus etc etc. very delicious. I enjoyed Christmas Eve with the reenactment of the Nativity - with Bapa as narrator & the rest of us Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, angels & of course, a doll for baby jesus! Singing of carols. Sitting by the beautifully lit Christmas tree & reminiscing about past Christmases. On BOXING DAY Jim & Jeff drove us to Canmore where we were able to visit with aunt Marge who was visiting her daughter Maggie at their week-end retreat. I'm glad we did. Looking out of the window we have a spectacular view of the Three Sisters.
We are happy to be home where we will celebrate New Year's.
Love to all and a Happy New Year!
Grannie

High Priests' Social

some recent pix

174 Oeming Road - November, 2008

Quite an unusual November for Edmonton weatherwise. Heavy winds just about blew us over. No snow. Some sunny days.
We have kept busy. Grandpa has driven me here, there, everywhere as I've had to take better care of my leg!! However I have now returned to do my stint at the temple - I have the pm shift. Grandpa comes the last session to do either endowment, initiatory, or assist at the baptism so he can have the car & then we drive home together. That is our Friday 'date'.
We are going to spend Christmas in Calgary so it will be quite an experience after 3 years. Since coming to Edmonton we have had Christmas with the Edmonton Youngs, the Prince George Youngs - this year it will be with the Redds
I have resumed quilting & have really enjoyed this. Made some Christmas gifts, also a quilt
We've had the missionaries for dinner - real neat fellows - very spiritual & knowledgeable.
Grandpa had quite a cold - sure hung on a long time.
We attended the High Priests' Social lately - a potluck & a 'Who Am I ' game Everyone wrote some humorous or unusual event that took place in their lives. Quite a hilarious evening. I brought my famous 'glazed chicken wings' which were wolfed down.Great camaraderie.
It has been fun shopping for gifts for the greatgrandchildren.
Happy American Thanksgiving.
Love to all
Grannie